Nick wrote:
> spindrift wrote:
>> http://www.lcc.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=1145
>> The evidence seems clear to me, motorbikes are faster moving, heavier,
>> and pose a greater risk to cyclists.
> I'd sign one to ban buses from bus lanes but I don't have a problem with
> motorbikes.
The issues are:
- Do you want to promote motorcycling?
Allowing them in bus lanes will increase their numbers throughout London.
- What are bus lanes for?
Buses.
- Why were cycles allowed in them?
Because of the effect of forcing them into the other lane (petrified
cyclists and delayed motorists). These effects do not happen with
motorbikes.
- How much space do you want when overtaken?
In a typical 3-metre bus lane, a cyclist riding far enough out to
prevent a taxi from squeezing past within the lane will leave about
1.6m gap on their right. A motorcyclist would aim at the middle of
this gap, passing within half a metre of the cyclist. At present they
try to encroach as litle as possible on the bus lane.
The recommended width for a bus lane is 4.5m. Allowing motorbikes only
in bus lanes this wide would have less direct impact on cyclists'
safety, but would still promote motorcycling.
Colin McKenzie
--
No-one has ever proved that cycle helmets make cycling any safer at
the population level, and anyway cycling is about as safe per mile as
walking.
Make an informed choice - visit
www.cyclehelmets.org.
